Predirecting means for torpedoes



Mar. 27, 1923. a

.5. H. HAMMOND, JR

PREDIRECTING MEANS FOR TORPEDOES Original Filed May 15, 1920 INVENTOR Xbvnmmf,

A TTOR/VE Y I Joni; HAYS HAMMOND, we, or GLOUCESTER," messnonosnrrs.

' PREDIRECTING MEANS FOR TORPEDOES.

Application fiIedMay 13, 1920, Serial No.381,162.

T aZZ w/wm it may concern.

Be it known that 1, JOHN HAYs HAM- MOND, J12, a citizen of the United States,

and a resident of Gloucester, County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, (and whose post-o ifice address is Hammond Radio Research Laboratory, Gloucester, Massachtu setts), have invented certain new'and use ful Improvementsin Predirecting Means for Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide means for predirecting a torpedo in order that it may follow a predetermined course when fired; to provide an improved means for setting the angle fire mechanism of atorpedo, to provide means for setting the: angle fire mechanism of a torpedo to predirectjthe torpedo for an angle greater than the angular swing of the deck tube which discharges the torpedo; to pro-;

vide means for predirecting a torpedo by combining the rotation of the deck tube with therotation of the angle fire mechanism in the torpedo; and to provide other improve;

ments as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings the figure represents a diagrammatic plan of o'netorm of angle fire mechanism forpredirecting tor edoes embodying the present invention.

eferring to the drawings a mechanism for predirecting a torpedo by combining the rotation of the deck tube fQIjtlletorpedo with the rotation of the angle fire qnecha-X nism in the torpedo is shown wherein one form of the present invention consists of a deck tube rigidly mounted on a-rotatable pedestal 11 of any suitable type having its axis of rotation at 12. y

For the purpose of limitingthe turning movement of the tube 10 to an angle, say of 45, which is suited to the structure of the vessel upon which the pedestal '11 is mounted, a projection; or lug 13- is rigidly secured to the pedestal 11 and extends radially therefrom to form an abutment to engage oneor the other of a pair of stops 14 and 15. In

the present instance these stops 14 and 15 are spaced 90 apart and fixedly secured to the deck in the pathtof movement of the lug 13, each being spacednormally from the said lug 13 by a 45 angle but at opposite sides of the lug 13, whereby an angular movement of the tube 10 in either direction will bring the lug .13 finally into abutting relation with one of the aforesaid stops and Renewed July 11, 1922. Serial No. 574,285.

thus prevent further movement of the movable parts. The function of the stops 14 and 15theretore is to prevent the tube 10 from over-running a specified limit in either direction from a central position. i

'As a meansfor turning the tube 10 into any desired position, within the fixed limits an annular member or ring 16 is provided the same being mounted upon suitablebearings to turn about the center 12 as an axis and having its outer periphery formed as a i worm gear 17 A worm pinion 18 fast to a shaft20 is arranged in mesh with the .worm gear 17 and the shaft 20'can be turned by means of a hand wheel- 21 which is fixed thereon. Suitable bearings 22 for the shaft 20 are provided and may bemounted on the deck or any fixed part. Conveniently located adjacent the hand wheel 21 there is dia'l23 which is fixed to the deck and has a pointer 24 which isrigid with the shaft 20 and serves to indicate on the dial, 23 the angular position of the ring 16.

, l or locking the ring 16 to the pedestal 11 so thatthe tube 10 is turned through the given angle by the operation of the hand wheel 21,a pair of lugs 25 are fixed to the ring 16 and spaced to receivebetween them 16 about the axis 12 will betransmitted to the pedestal 11 and tube 10 as long as the solenoid 27 remains'in a de-energized condlt on.

For transmitting the angular movement of the ring 16 to the predireclting mechanism of the torpedo the shaft 20 has a gear 31 fast thereon and in mesh with asecond. gear 32 which is fixed toan armature shaft 33 of a suitable position indicating device 34 whichis connected by leads 35- and 36 to a suitable source for example 60 cycle, 220'volt A. C. The position indicator 3st is constantly in synchronism with the shaft 20 and as here shown the shaft 33 makes one revolution for every five degrees that the'ring 16 is moved, The position indicator 3411s electricallyconnected by leads 40, 41 and 42 to three fixed contacts 43, 1a and 45 respectively, which 37 of alternating current,

V by contactors are in the pathof movement of three mov-' able contactors 46, 47 and 48 carried by a plunger 50, the arrangement being suchthat when the respective contacts 43,1744 and .45 and contactors 46, 47 and 48 arein contact the position indicator will transmit move ment by Way of leads 51, 52 and 53 to a positionindicator 54 which is arranged to set the torpedo angle fire mechanism by means ofa shaft 55.

"For maintainingthe anglefire position indicator 54 in a zero'position, athirdposition indicator 56 isemployed, the same being rigidly clamped in a zeroposition and connected to the angle fire indicator 54 by leads 57, 58 and 59 through contacts 61, 62and 63 respectively which are located to be engaged 46 47 and 48which are connected as explained with the position indicator 54; The contactors 46, 47 and 48 are fast-tothe-movable plunger 50.

For the'purpose of shifting the plunger 50 it is formed as the commoncore of-two solenoi-ds 71 and alternately energized by a battery 73 connected at one side by a conductor 74 to both solenoids 71 and 7 2 andat the other side by a conductor 7 5, to a contactor 7 6jfixed to the ring 16 but insulated therefrom. The circuit through the solenoid 71 is completed-by way of aring segment 77 and a conductor 78. The circuit through the solenoid '72 may be completed eitherthrough a ring segment 80 and a conductor 81 or through aring segment-82 and a conductor 83. The three segments 77, 80 and 82 have the same-radius and are arranged to the ring 16 butare insulated one from another by suitable insulation 84.

I In'order to lockthe tubelO at the end of its swing in either direction, that is against either the stop 14 or stop 15, two solenoids 85 and 86-are fixedly positioned respectively adjacent the said stops 14 and 15, and are included in series in an electric circuit 87, having a battery 88 and two spaced contacts 90 and 91, the latter being arranged to be bridged'by a contactor 92 fixed to the plun ger 50. The solenoid 85 has a core 93, normall held out of the pathof the lug 13 by a coil spring 94 and the solenoid 86 also has a core 95 normally held out of the path of the :lug 13 by a like coil spring 96. When the circuit 87is closed both solenoids 85 and 86are energized and project the respective cores 93 and 95 intothe path of the lug 13, though it will be understood that this action takes place only in a predetermined position of the lug 13 as will be explained' As a means for energizing the solenoid 27 to release the ring 16 from the pedestal 11 the said ring 16 has a contactor fixed thereto at a point; preferably, diametrically opposite to tie contactor 7 6, and projecting to engage either of two contact strips'101 72 which are arranged to be concentrically with respect and 102,-according to whether the ring 16 is in one extreme position or the other. Both of the contactors 7 6 and 100 are electrically separated from the. ring 16 by suitable insulation 103. Also in" the present instance, ,zthe strips 101 and 102 form circular continuations of the ring segments 80 and Y82 but are respectively insulated theretrom by insulation 104. The solenoid 27 is a normally open circuit including a battery 105 having a conductor 106 joining the two strips 101 and 102,either ofwhich thereby becomes a rterminahwand a. conductor 107 connected to the solenoid coil 27. The other end of the solenoid27 is connected byaconductor 108 with the contactor 100, which forms the other terminalvof .thecircuit, so that whenever the contactor .100 contacts with either of thestrips 101 or 102the circuit is closed, the solenoid is energizedand the plunger 26 withdrawn from locking-engagement with thelugs 25.

For .predirecting the torpedo in the tube 10 any suitable means, not shown, may .be provided such, for example, asa'torpedodirector of any standard form, which is mounted in any suitable position upon the ship when'it will indicate-in a well known manner the angle which the course of the torpedo should' make with respect to the central position of the tube 10, as shown in the figure. This indicating-means may-consist of one or-inore dials mounted in a position so'that the desired anglecanbe' read. It is the duty ofthe operator of the-hand wheel 21 to keep thepointer24 on'theproper graduation of the dial 23 in accordance with the reading of the dials 'ofthe standard director. In carrying out this operation the handw-heel 21 is turned, thereby transmitting motion -to the wormpinion 18, -worm-:

gear 17 andthe'ring16,- so that the tube 10 is turned through the-number of degrees that are indicated by the dialor dials which-are operated from thetorpedo director or-other predirecting means. *As long as the direction which-the torpedo should take wi th'respect to the central position remains-less than 45, asin this p articular case; the tube 10 is operated in this manner. The angle fire mechanism-in the torpedo,during this period isheld at a zeroipo s'ition bymeans of the position indicator 56 which is electrically connected to the positionindicator 54 which controlsthe angle mechanism in the torpedo.

'VVhen, however, this angle exceeds 45 the operation. is in accordance withgthe present invention and thefollowing takesplace: assumingthat the tube 10 is beingrotatedin a counter-clockwise directionby means of the handwh'eel 21 and l the movement continues untilthe arm or lug l3 is just about to abut the stop 14, then at that instant the-brush or contactor'100 makes con- 1 and instantly locked at a 45 tactwith the strip 101 and thereby closes the circuit through the solenoid 27. This results in the withdrawal of the plunger 26 so that the ring 16 is released from the pedestal or base 11 and can continueits rotation under the action of the handwheel 21, but now moving relative to the pedestal "1.1. This movement causes the brush or contactor 76 to move off of the segment 7?, thus the right, as viewed in'the figure, thereby breaking the circuit from the position indicator 56 to the position indicator because the contactors 46, 47 and 48 move out of contact with the contacts 61, 62 and (33. and into contact withfithe contacts 43, 44 and 45 so that the circuit from the position indicator 34m the angle fire position indicator 54 is closed. Since the position indicator 34 is arranged to be in a zero position when the ring 16 reaches the 45 angle any additional angular movement otthering 16 beyond 45 will be transmitted from the position indicator 34 to the position indica tor 54 and the latter Willturn the shaft so that the anglefire mechanism of the tor-a pedoin the tube 10 will be turned through the additional angle above 45 through which the ring 16 has been turned beyond the 45 position. The movement of the plunger 50 to the right also brings the contactor 92 across both the contacts 90 and 91 thus closing the circuit 87 which energizes the two solenoids S5 and 86. The cores 93 and 95 are accordingly moved toward the center of rotation 12 and clamp the arm or lug 13 rigidly against the stop 14 so that the tube 10 is locked in exactly the 45 position. 7

From the foregoing it will be evident that the ring 16 moves with the base or pedestal so long as the angle is less than 45 during which time the predirecting takes place in the ordinary manner under the influence of the handwheel 21. The ring 16 during this action turns the entire tube 10 until the 45 position is reached. lVhen the angle exceeds 45 the tube 10 is automatically angle and further turning of the ring 16 is independ ent of the tube 10 and the operation is such that the position indicators 34 and 54 turn the angle fire mechanism in the torpedo through the additional number of degrees necessary. When the ring 16 is returned from a position greater than 45 to one less than 45 a reversal of the above described operation takes place and at the moment that the ring 16 passes the 45 point the brush 7 6 moves out of engagement with the segment and onto the segment 77, thereby deenergizing solenoid 72 and energizing solenoid 71.' thus moving theplunger50 to the left. Thisbreaks the circuits through the solenoids and 86 thereby releasing thearm 13 and tube 10 and connects the position indicator 54 to position'indicator 56 which holds the angleiire mechanism in the torpedo tube at the zero position. At the same time the brush 100 moves out of energizing the solenoid 27 which-clamps the tube-10 to thering 16. I

Althoughonlyone ofthe many forms in which this invention may be embodied has been heres'hown, it is to be understoodthat the invention might be applied in various forms without departing from the spirit of' the scope oi? the appended the invention 0 claims. 1

Having "thus t'ully described my invention what I claim is 2- engagement with the segment 101 thus de- 1. In. an angle fire mechanism, a tubemounted to swing through a predeterminec angle, and me ans for setting a torpedo angle the mechanism for an angle greater than i the limit of swing of said tube.

2. In 'airangle fire mechanism, a tube mounted to swing through a predetermined angle, and ineansoperative at the end of the swing of said tube for setting a torpedo an-' angle of swing of said tube.

3. In an angle lire mechanism, a tube mounted to swing through a predetermined angle, a torpedo angle fire mechanism, means tor maintaining said angle fire mechanism in a zero position during the swing of said gle mechanism for an angle greater than the tube, and means operative at the end of the swing of said tube for setting said angle fire mechanism for a course corresponding to an additional angle beyond said predetermined angle.

4; In an angle fire mechanism, a tube mounted to swing through a predetermined angle as a limit of movement, means for maintaining said angle fire mechanism in a zero position during the swing of said tube, means to lock said tube at the limit of its movement, and means to set said angle fire mechanism to correspond to a course at an angle to the locked position of said tube.

5. In an angle fire mechanism, a tube mounted to swing between certain fixed limits at oppositesides of a central position, a torpedo angle fire mechanism, means for swinging said tube, means operative at the limit of movement of said tube to release said swinging means from said tube, and means controlled by the continued operation of said swinging means to set said angle fire mechanism to correspond to the additional angle of movement of said swinging means.

6. In an angle fire mechanism, a discharge tube for a torpedo, a movable mounting fixed to said tube for turning said tube about a vertical axis, stops for limiting the nswe snns of d ube, m an for tuteing said mounting to. bring said: tube to any angular position between said stops, means for releasingsaidturning means in a position; of said tube abut-ting either stop, and means for setting said angle; fire mechanism fora course greater thanithe angle deter,- mined by said tube at its limit of movement.

Inan angle fire mechanism, discharge tube for a torpedo, a rotatably mounted 'base fixed to said tube, a ring normally looked to said base, means to turn said ring ,to adjiust said tube for a predetermined angle,, neans tolauto naticallyrelease said ringirgom said I base atthe limit of angular inoyementho f said tube, and means opera-ted byqa lQvement of said ring relative to said tube for setti-nganangle fire mechanism for an- ,gle corresponding to the turning of said ring relative to said tube.

8. In a mechanism for firing aprojectile at anangleto a givenaxis, a rotatable pedestal, an aiming tube rotatably mounted} on Uthe pedestal, means for vnormally locking; the

tube to the pedestal so as wtO rotate therewith, and nieans automatically operative at a predetermined limit of trayelto unlockthe same,

9., In a nechanisrnfor firing a projectile at anangle to a given axis, a rotatable pedestal, an aiming tube rotatably nounted on the pedestal, means tor normally. looking thetube to the pedestalsoias to rotatethe re with, and means automatically operatiyeat with, and means automatically operative at:

a p e e m n d limi at t a el t iH lQQk the same, comprisinga solenoid, a contact controlling the solenoid positioned on the pedestal and a cent-actor rotating withzthe tube and cooperatingwith said contaet: at

said predetermined liinitof ;tra-Velto,caus eenergization 051? the solenoid.

11. In angle fire mechanism, a rotatable pedestal, a tube posltioned thereon ,and

arranged to wing through ,a

a i V p e e min d angle with the pedestal,

nd 'e ic s means for disengaging the tube f ro n the pedestal to permit independent IIlQYQII'lQIIt thereof When the pre determined angular rota-tion is exceeded.

Signed at New York, in -,the county ot New York, andvState of New York, this o s, AQDL- 19% H S AMMOND, J13- 12th day of Mary 

